Combined light projecting and finding apparatus



J. AV-ATO Aug. 13, 1929.

COMBINED LIGHT PROJECTING AND FINDING APPARATUS Filed July 7, 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet l I N VEN TOR.

LJb/LlI/AU A TTORNEY J. AVATO Aug. 13, 1929.

COMBINED LIGHT PROJECTING AND FINDING APPARATUS Filed y 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I Jbhn/A vat-o ATTORNEY.

Patented Aug. 13, 1929.

UNITED STATES JOHN AVATO, OF NORWOOD, NEW. JERSEY. I

COMBINED LIGHT PROJ'EC'IING' AND FINDING APPARATUS.

Application filed July 7, 1927. Serial No. 204,021.

This invention relates to a combined light projecting, signalling and finding device designed primarily for use in connection with submarines, but it is to be understood that a device, in accordance with this invention, may be employed in any connection for which it is found applicable, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, to enable one from within the hull of a submarine to ascertain or give signals from or to undersea craft and further to note obstructionsor other bodies below the water level during the travel of the submarine.

Further objects of the invention are to provide a combined light projecting, signalling and finding device in a manner as here inafter set forth, which is comparatively simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly efficient in its use, readily installed, and comparatively inexpensive to set up.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction combination and arrangement of parts as hereinafter more specifically de scribed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein is shown an embodiment' of the invention, but it is to be un derstood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall with in the scope of the vlaims hereunto appended.

' In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views Figure l is a fragmentary view, in section', of the hull of a submarine showing the adaptation therewith of a pair of light projecting, signalling and finding devices inaccordance with this invention,v

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the device and further illustratingv dias grammatically by broken lines and arrows the path of the light rays.

Figure 3 is an end elevationlookin'g towards the inner end of the device.

Figure 4 is an end elevation looking towards the outer end of the device.

Figure 5 is a section online 5 -5 Figure 2 thereof of semi-oval cross section; The upper part 2 projects rearwardly from the lower part and the portion of the part 2, which projects rearwardly with respect to the lower part 1, is indicated at 3 and of circular cross section. The lower part 1 projects forwardly beyond the outer end of the upper part 2.

The upper part 2 is formed with a lengthwise extending opening having the ma'or portion thereof, indicated at 4 of circu ar cross section and the remaining portion Which is indicated at 5 of inverted U-shaped cross section. The said part 5 inclines downwardly from its inner towards its outer to its outer end. The bottom wall of the portion 5 of the opening f is provided by a lens 6, which is disposed at an upward inclination from rear to front and which is secured in position as at 7, by a watertight sealing means. Countersunk in a part of each side wall of the portion 5 and in the top wall of said portion is a mirror 8 which extends at a downward inclination from rear to front. The forward end of the mirror 8 abuts against the forward end of the lens 6, see Figure 2. The circular portion 4 of the opening formed in the upper part 2 has the rear end enlarged and threaded, as at 9 for the reception of the peripherally threaded body portion of a lens carrying member 10. The lens mounted in the member 10, is indicated at 11 and is at the inner end of said member. The outer end of the member 10 is flanged as at 12 and abuts against the projecting portion 3 of the part 2. The part 2, in connection with the lens 6, reflector 8 and lens 11 provides a finder or means for ascertaining the signal or to note an obstruction or other body below the water level.

The part 1 is of materially greater cross sectional area than the part 2 and said part 1 is formed with a lengthwise extending opening of materially greater diameter than the part 4 of the opening formed in the part 2. The forward or outer end of the part 1 is beveled. The opening formed in the part 1 extends from end to end thereof. The forward end of the opening 13, formed in the part 1, is closed by an inclined lens 14: secured in position by a water tight sealing means asindicated at 15. The lens or glass 14 inclines rearwardly from its bottom toend and inclines upwardly from its inner wards its top and the upper portion of the lens 14 is overhung by the lens 6. The lower portion, at the forward end of the bottom wall of the opening 13 is upwardly inclined as indicated at 16. The wall of the opening 13 from a point removed from its rear end to its forward end is completely lined with a mirror 17 corresponding in contour to the shape of the wall of the opening 13.

The forward end of the mirror 17 abuts against the glass or lens 14. The mirror 17 reflects the image into the mirror 8 and the operator when looking through the lens carrier 10 can ascertain the object or the mirror 17 reflects the signal into the mirror 8and the operator can View the signal.

Secured in the inner end of-the opening 13 is a light source 18 provided with a lens 19. The light source 18 is provided, in connection with the mirror 17, for pro'ecting light rays through the part 1 either or signailing purposes or illuminating any obstructions or other bodies below the water level. Then the light source 18 is employed for signalling purposes, different colored lenses 19 are provided. The casting at the inner end of the part 1 and adjacent the free end of the projecting part 3 of the part 2 is formed with a continuous flange 20 provided with openings 21 for the passage of holdfast devices to secure the device to the hull 23 of the submarine. As shown in Figure 1 each side of the hull 23 of the submarine is provided with an opening 24 through which extends one of the devices and interposed between the flange 20 and inner face of the hull is the water tight seal ing means 25.

It is thought the many advantages of a device, in accordance wlth this invention, and for the purposeset forth, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as illustrated and described, yet it is to be understood that changes in the details of construction can be had which will'fall within the scope of the invention as claimed.

-What I claim is: I a

1; A combined light projecting, signalling and finding apparatus comprising abody portion formed with lower and upper openings, a lens for closing the outer end of the lower opening, a light source for closing the inner end of said lower opening, a mirror positioned against the wall of said lower opening and interposed between said light source and lens, a lens and lens carrier closing the inner end of the upper opening, a lens for closing the outer end of the upper opening and positioned over the lens which closes the outer end of the lower opening, and a mirror positioned within the upper opening and arranged over the lens which closes the outer end of the upper opening.

2. A combined light projecting, signalling and finding apparatus comprising a body portion formed with lower and upper openings, a lens for closing the outer end of the lower opening, a light source for closing the inner end of said lower opening, a mirror p'ositionedagainst the wall of said lower opening and interposed between said light source and lens, a lens and lens carrier for closing'the inner end of the upper opening, a lens for closing the outer end of the upper opening and positioned over the lens which closes the outer end of the lower opening, and a mirror positioned within the upper opening and arranged over the lens which closesthe outer end of the upper opening, saidlens which closes the outer end of the upper opening extending upwardly at an inclination from rear to front, and said lens which closes the outer end of the lower opening extending at a downward inclination from rear to front.

3. A'combined light projecting, signalling and finding apparatus comprising a body portion formed with lower and upper open-- ings, a lens for closing the outer end of the lower opening, a light source for closing the inner end of said-lower opening, a mirror positioned against the wall of said lower opening and interposed between said light source and lens, a lens and lens carrier for closing theinner end of the upper opening, a lens for closing the outer end of the upper opening and positioned over the lens which closes the outer end of the lower opening, and a mirror positioned within the upper openingwand arranged over the lens which closes the outer end of the upper opening, said lens which closes the outer end of the upper opening extending upwardly at an in-- clination from rear to front, and said lens which closes the outer end of the lower opening extending at a downward inclination from rear to front, the lower lens ofgreater area than the upper lens and the latter positionedfoverthe upper portion of the lower lens. i a 7 4. A; device for thepurpose set forth comprising a body portion formed of an upper and a lower part, each formed with an opening extending from endto end thereof, said parts having their forward ends oppositely beveled and opposing each other, the forward end of the lower part projecting beyond the forward end of the upper part and of greater cross sectional area than the latter, oppositely disposed inclined lenses for closing the forward ends of said openings, oppositely disposedmirrors positioned within and extended to the forward ends of said parts and each opposing one of said lenses, a light source extending into and closing the inner end of the opening in said lower part, and a lens carrier provided with a lens mounted in and closing the inner end of the opening in the upper part. a v v 5. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a body portion formed of an upper and a lower part, each formed with an opening extending from end to end thereof, said parts having their forward ends oppositely beveled and opposing each other, the forward end of the lower part projecting be yond the forward end of the upper part and of greater cross sectional area than the latter, oppositely disposed inclined lenses for closing the forward ends of said openings, oppositely disposed mirrors positioned within and extended to the forward ends of said parts and each opposing one of said lenses, a

. light source extendin into and closing the inner end of the openmg in said lower part, and a lens carrier provided with a lens mounted in and closing the inner end of the opening in the upper part, said upper part extending rearwardly from said lower part.

6. A device for the purpose set forth comprising a body portion formed of an upper and a lower part, each formed with an opening extending from end to end thereof, said parts having their forward ends oppositely beveled and opposing each other, the forward end of the lower part projecting beyond the forward end of the upper part and of greater cross sectional area than the latter, oppo sitely disposed inclined lenses for closing the forward ends of said openings, oppositely disposed mirrors positioned within and extended to the forward ends of said parts and each opposing one of said lenses, a light source extending into and closing the inner end of the opening in said lower part, and a lens carrier provided with a lens mounted in, and closing the inner end of the opening in the upper part, said lower opening of greater cross sectional area than said upper opening.

7. A device for the purpose set forth com prising a body portion formed of an upper and a lower part, each formed with an opening extending from end to end thereof, said parts having their forward ends oppositely beveled and opposing each other, the forward end of the lower part projecting beyond the forward end of the upper part and of greater cross sectional area than the latter, oppositely disposed inclined lenses for closing the forward ends of said openings, oppositely disposed mirrors positioned within and ex 7 tended to the forward ends of said parts and each opposing one of said lenses, a light source extending into and closing the inner end of the opening in said lower part, a lens carrier provided with a lens mounted in and closing the inner end of the opening in the upper part, and means carried at the inner end of the body portion for fixedly securing it in position. a

In testimony whereof, I aflix my signature hereto.

JOHN AVATO. 

